Bed comforter



July 20 1943. M. DU-NN 2,324,619

BED COMFORTER Filed Jan. 17, 1942 Patented July 20, 1943 UNITED STATESPATENT OF E 7 BED COMFORTER Maude am, Birmingham, Ala.

Application January 17, 1942, Serial No. 427,167

3 Claims.

This invention relates toja bed comforter, and it i a particular object.of the invention to provide an article of this kind for making morecomfortable paralytic and other bed-ridden patients.

It is also an, objectof the invention to provide an .article of thiskind which, serves as a lifter whereby the patient may be raised asrequired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an article of thiskind of an inflatable type and which, when inflated, affords comfort tothe patient and' which,.when deflated, provides protection for themattress.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an article of thiskind whereby comfortable support is provided for the legs of the patientand to maintain the feet of a polio patient in a rigid ment of myinvention and in appliedposition, the

coacting mattress being diagrammatically indicated by broken lines; 1

ginalportion of the sheet I. tudinal margin of the bag 2 is providedwith the pervious to moisture and air. This bag 2, in the presentembodiment of my invention, is substantially rectangular in form and ofdesired length. i

and has its outer longitudinal 'marginal portion suitably securedtherealong to an adjacent mar- The inner longispaced extensions 13 whichare also expansible and in communication with the member or bag 2.

Th bag 2is entirelyfre of connection with the v sheet I except; alongthe outer longitudinal margin of the inflatablemember or bag 2 and theside and outer endmargins of theextensions 3 are also free ofconnectionwiththe sheet I. The extensions 3, at their transversecenters, are suitably secured or anchored to the sheet I along a lineextending lengthwise thereof,- as at a.

The extensions 3 serve as leg supports and the outer end portions ofthese extensions 3 are provided with the upstanding hollow foot members4 possessing sufficient stiffness when the member 1 or bag 2 and theextensions 3 are inflated to Figure 2'is a view in top plan of thedeviceas' herein disclosed unapplied;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is. a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line44 of Figure 2; i Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view takensubstantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line6'B of Figure 2.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, I denotes a rubber sheet or asheet of such material impervious to moisture and air. This sheet I isof a size to be disposed in desired position across a mattress M,preferably at the foot portion thereof and below the bed clothing. Thissheet I" is maintained in place by tucking the same in the usual mannerunder the mattress at opposite sides thereof, as illustrated in Figure 1hold the feet of a polio patient in a stiff upright position. Theconnection of the outer longitudinal margin of the inflatable member orbag 2 with the sheet I prevents any rolling movement of the member orbag 2 when inflated and which movement is further prevented by theconnec- -tion between the extensions 3 and. the sheet I.

, The extensions 3 at their transverse centers are formed to provide thelongitudinally disposed depressions 5 in which the legs of the patientare received, said depressions 5 providing 1 means for maintaining thelegs in position upon these extensions. The particular manner in whichthe member or bag 2 and the extensions 3 are constructed forms noparticular part of the present invention, other than that the structureof such parts be such as to effectively prevent the escape of air whenthe member or bag 2 and the extensions 3 are under pressure and, ofcourse, for the duration of inflation.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, one of the legextensions 3 has a side wall carrying a conventional inflation valve 5adapted to be coupled to any suitable source of air under pressure whenit is desired to inflate the comforter, or more particularly the aircompartment afforded by the member or bag 2 and the extensions 3.

In practice, the comforter is placed in proper position upon themattress, and preferably below the bed covers, with the body portion ofthe member or bag 2 preferably under the buttocks of the patient and theextensions 3 in position to have the legs of the patient rest thereon.When the comforter is deflated, the same serves as an effectiveprotection to the underlying portion of the mattress, but when thecomforter is inflated, the portion of the body of the patient restingthereon will be raised as required, and this is of particular advantagewhen it is desired to use a bed pan. It is to be noted that theextensions 3 are spaced apart a distance to permit the ready applicationof a bed pan, yet without causing any discomfort to the patient. It isalso to be pointed out that the application and removal of a bed pan orthe like is facilitated by having the side and inner marginal portionsof the member or bag 2, together with the marginal portions of theextensions 3, free of connection with the sheet I.

It is also to be particularly noted that the foot members 4 providerigid or stiff supports for the feet of a polio patient so that the feetof the patient will be maintained in desired upright position as isrequired in connection with polio patients.

It is to be pointed out that in the present embodiment of my inventiononly a single inflating valve is required, but it is believed to beobvious that if deemed preferable, additional valves may be employed andpositioned as preferred.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a bedcomforter constructed in accordance with my invention is particularlywell adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility withwhich it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

1. An article of the class described comprising a main sheet, asubstantially rectangular inflatable body imposed thereon, means forsecuring from end to end the rear marginal portion of the body to thesheet along a marginal portion thereof, said body being otherwise freeof connection with the sheet, said inflatable body being provided at thefront marginal portion with spaced extensions to provide leg supports,and means for inflating the body, the leg extensions being providedtherealong with depressions to receive the legs of a person.

2. An article of the class described comprising a main sheet, asubstantially rectangular inflatable body imposed thereon, means forsecuring from end to end the rear marginal portion of the body to thesheet, said body being otherwise free of connection with the sheet, saidinflatable body being provided at the front marginal portion with spacedextensions to provide leg supports, means for inflating the body, andupstanding foot members carried by the outer extremities of theextensions, each of the foot members being a part of and in continuationof a leg support.

3. An article of the class described comprising a main sheet, asubstantially rectangular inflat-,

means for securing the extensions at their trans-.

verse centers to the sheet.

MAUDEDUNN;

